Metadata language
Feather morphology at the ultrastructural level
Subtitle:Acta Ornithologica, vol. 34, no. 2 ; Morfologia piór na poziomie ultrastruktury
Creator: Contributor:Polska Akademia Nauk. Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii ; Meeting of the European Ornithologists' Union (2 ; 1999 ; Gdańsk)
Publisher:Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii PAN
Place of publishing: Date issued/created: Description:Referat wygłoszony na Second Meeting of the European Ornithologists' Union ; Bibliogr. p. 134 ; P. [131]-134, [2] leaves of plates : ill. ; 27 cm ; Abstract in Polish. Taxa in Latin
Type of object: Subject and Keywords:feathers ; ultrastructure ; morphology ; congresses ; airtightness ; water repellency ; colour ; birds ; Aves
Abstract:The usefulness of transmission and scanning electron microscopy for clarifying the finer details of feather morphology is exemplified. (1) The structure making a wing feather airtight is a ventral, membraneous extension of a barbule closing the gap between adjacent barbules. (2) The exposed part of the body plumage is a very open structure. This fact and the shape of barbules in transverse section suggest that water repellency is an important function of body plumage. (3) Two ways of producing colours resembling those of green vegetation by utilizing yellow carotenoids, blackish melanins, air and keratin are contrasted: a simple one in olive green feathers and a complex one in green feathers of Ptilinopus doves.
Relation: Volume: Issue: Start page: End page: Resource type: Detailed Resource Type: Format: Source:MiIZ PAN, call no. P.257, Vol. 34, No 2 ; MiIZ PAN, call no. P.4568, Vol. 34, No 2 ; click here to follow the link
Language: Rights:Rights Reserved - Restricted Access
Terms of use: Digitizing institution:Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Original in:Library of the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Projects co-financed by:Programme Innovative Economy, 2010-2014, Priority Axis 2. R&D infrastructure ; European Union. European Regional Development Fund
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